About Our Organization

Natalie Marie Barnhard

At the age of 24, while at work, Natalie Barnhard became a quadriplegic. On October 22, 2004, a catastrophic accident changed her life when a 600 pound exercise weight machine fell over and landed on top of Natalie. She was working as a physical therapist assistant and licensed massage therapist at the time of the injury.
Since 2004, with her strong faith in God, and support from her parents, family and friends, Natalie has been dedicated to intense rehabilitation and recovery therapy. She is committed to programs in Atlanta, Georgia at the Shepherd Center and First Step Physical Therapy that practices Integrative Manual Therapy (IMT). These facilities have different rehabilitation and healing philosophies, although collectively they believe in the ability of people with spinal cord injuries to recover with the possibility of walking again. Natalie continues to work extremely hard and has made incredible improvements and physical gains.
Natalie’s personal mission is to start a spinal cord recovery center in Buffalo for people to get the best possible care and the support they need. We pray the Lord continues to guide her path to doing extraordinary things to help people with this traumatic injury.

Wheels With Wings Foundation became a vision and personal goal of Natalie’s early on in her injury while experiencing how challenging it can be to obtain critical items such as intense rehabilitation therapy, home modifications and other equipment which is needed as a result of a spinal cord injury (SCI).
Natalie’s hope is not only to help people with SCI’s through Wheels With Wings Foundation but also raise awareness in Buffalo, New York and surrounding areas.